The Atlantic Wall Museum, also known as the “Grand Bunker”, is located in the town of Ouistreham, Normandy. This museum is housed in a former German command and fire control post from World War II. This impressive 17-metre-high building has been completely restored to reflect its original state on 6 June 1944, the day of the Allied landings.

The bunker structure, a concrete tower, distributed over five levels, offers a panoramic view of the Sword beach area and the Seine Bay. Inside, visitors can explore various meticulously reconstructed rooms, including the generator room, gas filter room, casemate with a machine gun protecting the entrance, dormitories, infirmary, armory, ammunition room, radio transmission room, and telephone exchange.

The museum also features a rich collection of photographs, documents and objects relating to the construction of the Atlantic Wall, the surrounding artillery batteries, the beach defences and the daily life of the German soldiers who were stationed in the tower. An observation post equipped with a powerful rangefinder allows visitors to observe the surrounding area, giving them an insight into the strategic importance of the site during the war.

The history of the bunker is also notable. He was captured by Allied forces three days after landing on Sword Beach. This bunker had been ignored during aerial reconnaissance and was not marked on maps provided by the French Resistance. This shows the importance and strategic surprise that this checkpoint represented during the landing.

This museum offers not only a historical perspective but also an immersive experience in the history of World War II on the coasts of Normandy.